Download Understanding Islam I. Why spend time studying Islam? II. What is

Understanding Islam
I. Why spend time studying Islam?
II. What is Islam?
A. Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world
B. The word Islam comes from an Arabic word which means “submission”
C. Followers of Islam are called Muslims
III. Facts about Islam:
A. There are over 1.3 billion Muslims in the world
B. Islam is currently the fastest growing religion in the world (2.9%)
C. Islam is also the fastest growing religion in America
D. It is the second largest religion practiced in the world, next to “Christianity”
E. Countries with significant Muslim population:
1. Indonesia – 88% - 210 million
2. Pakistan – 97% - 154 million
3. India – 12% - 128 million
4. Bangladesh – 83% - 117 million
F. There are approximately 7 million Muslims living in the United States today
IV. Roots of Islam
A. Islam began in Saudi Arabia by an Arab man named Muhammad (570-632 AD)
B. At the time, the Arabian tribes living in that area practiced polytheism, with some 360 known deities
C. In 610 AD, Muhammad claims to have received the first of several visions from the angel Gabriel
D. He continued to receive visions for the next 22 years until his sudden death in 632 AD
E. These visions comprise the holy book of Islam, the Qur’an
F. Muhammad’s visions led him to believe that there was only one god, Allah – and he began to preach against the polytheism of
his day
G. In 622, persecution eventually led to Muhammad and about 100 families fleeing from Mecca (his home town) to Yathrib
(which is now called Medina)
H. This event is now referred to as “Hijrah,” and marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar
I. Muhammad and his army led several sieges against Mecca
J. After forming a treaty with his own tribe, the Quraysh, he and his army took control of Mecca without a fight in 630
K. He personally destroyed the idols in the Ka’bah, and was able to unify all of the Arab tribes under Islam within year
L. Muhammad died suddenly on June 8, 632
V. Types of Islam
A. After his death, much confusion and disagreement among Muslims led to the forming of different sects of Islam:
B. Although there are more than 72 different sects (denominations) of Islam practiced today, there are two main types that make
up the majority of Islam
C. Major sects
1. Sunni
a. Believe the successor to Muhammad should be elected
b. Believe religious authority comes from the Qur’an, the Hadith, and the counsel of the elders (ulama)
c. Believe there should be a separation between religiuos and civil authority
2. Shi’ite
a. Believe the successor to Muhammad should be from his bloodline
b. Believe that authority comes from the Iman, and later the ulama
c. Believe there should be no separation between religious and civil authority
VI. Source of Authority
A. Muslims view Islam as the final revelation, superseding the Law of Moses (Taurat), the Psalms of David (Jabur), and the
Gospel of Jesus Christ (Injil)
B. While the holy book of Islam, the Qur’an, indicates that the Old and New Testaments of the Bible are both authoritative and
uncorrupted (5:68), modern Muslim belief is that the Bible has been corrupted and is no longer authoritativeSay: "O People of the
Book! you have no ground to stand upon unless you stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to
you from your Lord.“ (Qur’an 5:68)
C. 4 Acknowledged sources:
1. The Qur'an
2. Hadith – the traditions of the prophet
3. Qiyas – analogies taught by Muslim scholars based upon the Qur’an and the Hadith
4. Ijma – the consensus of the community & especially of Islamic scholars
VII. What is the Qur'an?
A. The Qur’an (also spelled Koran) is the holy book of Islam
1
Rev. 2010
B. The word Qur’an means “recitations”
C. The Qur’an contains the visions which Muhammad received from the angel Gabriel
D. The Qur’an is made up of 114 surahs or chapters
E. The Qur’an is written in Arabic, an ancient Semitic language similar to Hebrew & Aramaic
F. Therevelation of Allah in His own words – the eternal, uncreated speech of Allah
G. Delivered by the Angel Gabriel
H. Given to the prophet Muhammad
I. Which supersedes all previous revelation (ie, the Bible)
J. The Qur’an was not written by Muhammad
K. The Qur’an was written shortly after Muhammad’s death by his followers over a period of about 30 years
L. Muhammad was said to have recited to his followers the contents of his visions, which his followers memorized
M. His followers then wrote down the contents of the Qur’an from memory
N. There are no original manuscripts of the Qur’an
VIII. The Five Pillars of Islam
A. Faith (Confession of the Faith) – Shahadah
1. La ilaha illa Allah. Muhammad rasul Allah
2. “There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the Messenger of God.”
3. Spoken with sincerity, this confession is all that one must do to become a Muslim
B. Prayer – Salat
1. Pray 5 times a day (early morning, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, evening)
2. A Friday afternoon service is also required
3. Pray facing Mecca
4. Salat is also required at funerals and during the two eclipses (sun & moon)
C. Almsgiving – Zakat
1. A tax of 2.5% due once annually
2. Some Muslim governments collect the tax
3. Every man 16 years and older pays the tax
D. Fasting – Sawm
1. A 30 day fast that occurs from sunrise to sunset during the 9th month of Ramadan (Sept/Oct)
2. During the last 10 days, Muslim men observe the “night of power” (a vigil-type retreat)
3. Muslims must fast from food, drink, smoking, and sexual relations
4. However, they can partake of any of those activities after sunset
5. The fast is a commemoration of Muhammad’s receiving of the Qur’an during the 9th month
E. Pilgrimage - Hajj
1. The pilgrimage to Mecca is required once in each Muslim’s life
2. They must be able to afford the trip – no loans are allowed
3. Before entering Mecca, the male Muslim must put on special clothes, and observe several complicated rites during the trip
4. Guides are offered to help Muslims through the obscure and difficult rituals
IX. What Muslims Believe
A. Six Articles of Belief:
The Muslim Creed:
“I believe in Allah; and in His Angels; and in His Scriptures; and in His Messengers; and in The Final Day; and in Fate, that
Good and Evil are from Allah, and Resurrection after death be Truth. I testify that there is nothing worthy of worship but
Allah; and I testify that Muhammad is His Messenger.”
1. Belief in Allah
a. The word “Allah” in Arabic means “the deity, or the god.”
b. Allah is the general word in Arabic for god, and thus is not a proper name (i.e., like the name Yahweh or Jesus)
c. This is why missionaries to Arabic-speaking countries often use the word Allah” to translate the Hebrew word Elohim
or the Greek word Theos from the Old & New Testaments into Arabic.
d. However, in many parts of the world, the word Allah has come to mean “the god of Muslims” or the “god of the
Qur’an.”
e. Therefore it can function almost as a proper name for the Muslim god, depending upon the context
f. But because Allah is just the general word for god in Arabic, English-speaking Muslims will often just use the word
“God” to refer to the god of the Qur’an – which creates a lot of confusion.
g. The Oneness of Allah – absolute monotheism
i. “In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful. Proclaim: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the
Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.” - (Qur’an 112:1-5)
ii. Allah has no partners or associates (son, spirit, etc.)
h. Allah is Transcendent – the creator
2
Rev. 2010
i. Allah is merciful
i. Every chapter in the Qur’an except one begins with the phrase: In the name of Allah, the gracious, the
merciful
ii. But the Muslim concept of mercy is more about benevolence and providential care (for example, sending
rain) – It is not his gracious mercy in not punishing people as they deserve
j. Allah is holy
k. Allah is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent
l. Allah is the judge
2. Belief in Angels
a. Angels fill the gap as mediators between god and man
b. Most angels are good messengers and helpers of Allah. One, however, is evil: Iblis (Satan), who was thrown out of
heaven for refusing to bow down to Adam (Qur’an 7:11-18).
c. Each person has two angels assigned to him: one to record a person’s good deeds and the second to record his bad
deeds
d. Other supernatural beings of fire are the jinn. They are lower than angels, limited in life-span, male or female, good or
evil.
3. Belief in the books (sent by Allah)
a. The Qur’an - the uncreated, perfect word of Allah
b. The Bible – Muslims acknowledge the Bible as real revelation, but believe it has become corrupt and is therefore no
longer authoritative
4. Belief in all prophets and Messengers (sent by Allah)
a. A messenger (rasul) is sent with the Word of God (Scripture) to guide and reform the recipients: Moses (the Taurat),
David (the Zabur), Jesus (the Injil), and Muhammad (the Qur’an).
b. A prophet carries information or declares the word of Allah, but does not necessarily receive a divine book
c. The Qur’an mentions 25 prophets, the Hadith mentions 124,000 prophets
d. Adam, Abel, Abraham, Lot, Moses, Jonah, Jesus, John, etc.
e. Muhammad (the “last messenger” or “seal of the prophets”)
5. Belief in fate (Qadar)
a. Muslims believe in Qadar or “fate”
b. While believing also in a certain amount of free will, Muslims believe that Allah has sovereignty predestined all that
will happen
c. Qadar also includes the belief in Allah as the creator of all things
6. Belief in the day of judgment and the resurrection
a. Islam teaches a day of judgment, bodily resurrection, the immortality of the soul, and a literal heaven and hell
b. The living and the dead shall be gathered in the presence of Allah and judged by the book placed in their hands. The
book will be handed to each in either the left hand or the right hand.
c. Those men that enter heaven will also have their wives and children with them
d. Islam even teaches that Jesus will be involved in some end-time events
B. Salvation in Islam
1. Islam calls all people to repentance
2. Islam does not allow “fox-hole” conversions
3. Islam teaches salvation by works
4. Islam teaches a different concept of forgiveness than the Bible
a. Allah forgives whom he will
b. No one can be sure of their forgiveness – the Day of judgment will reveal it
c. There is no forgiveness for certain sins (for example, shirk – associating god with a created thing)
d. The Qur’an gives no personal confessions of sin (Psalm 51) or developed analogies of forgiveness (Hosea, Prodigal
Son)
5. Islam offers some a second chance after death
6. Islam also offers hope to unfaithful Muslims who do not go to heaven through a “purgatory” type temporary stay in Hell
3
Rev. 2010
GOD
HUMANITY
SIN
SALVATION
JESUS
DEATH OF JESUS
THE BIBLE
ISLAM:
Singular unity – no partners
Good by nature
Sin = rejecting good guidance – no atonement need
for forgiveness
Good deeds outweigh bad deeds
One of major prophets, but not Son of God – affirm
virgin birth and miracles
Did not die on the cross, but ascended to heaven –
Judas died on the cross
Corrupt, superseded by Qur’an
CHRISTIANITY:
One in essence, three in person
Sinful by nature
Moral rebellion against God – causes spiritual
death – atonement essential for forgiveness
By grace, through faith, in Christ alone
One and only Son of God, the only mediator
between God and man
Died a physical death, and was raised bodily 3 days
later – essential for salvation (1 Cor 15)
Authentic, divinely inspired, final authority
C. A Muslim's Worldview
1. Muslim’s are theocentric – god is very much what their world revolves around
a. Inshallah – “if Allah wills”
b. In contrast, Americans and Europeans represent a very materialist orientation
2. To Muslims, Christians represent a lascivious lifestyle
a. Muslim parents mourn when their children become Christians because they believe they have abandoned any sort of
moral restraint
b. Muslim nations are threatened by modern cultural influences, such as TV, movies, and music. The Hindus of India
are responsible for much of the material in South Asiac.
c. Muslim young men treat and regard Western women almost as prostitutes just look at how they dress!
3. To Muslims, Christians (Americans) are in consistent regarding the treatment of “terrorists”
a. America's support of “terrorist” acts of Israel against Palestinians – the “Israel can do no wrong” mentality
b. More on Israel in a moment
Concept:
Unity
Time
Family
Peace
Honor
Status
Individualism
Secularism
Change
Efficiency
Muslim:
Emphasized
Respect the past
Solidarity
Integration, external
All important
Family, name, age
Subordinate to group
Totally unacceptable
Undesirable
Little or no concern
“Christian”:
Only if pragmatic
Future orientation
Individualistic
Contentment, internal
Not priority
Wealth, accomplishment
Independence a priority
Largely acceptable
Desirable
Imperative
Chart from Dr. William Barrick, “Understanding Muslims” unpublished lecture notes
D. A Muslim's view of Israel
1. Israel & Muslims have historically been enemies
2. Why? – Genesis 16
3. Muslims believe Ishmael was the “special son” of Abraham, and that Ishmael was the son offered to God as a sacrifice, not
Isaac
4. Therefore, all of the promises of the Old Testament to the Jews really belong to the Arabs
5. Ishmael is the ancient ancestor of most, if not all Arabs (Gen. 25:13-16)
a. Northern Arabs – descendants of Ishmael
b. Southern Arabs – descendants of Joktan (Gen. 10:26)
6. Muhammad claimed to be a descendant of Ishmael
7. Muslims have historically controlled Palestine…
8. Until Israel announced statehood in 1948
9. Muslims viewed that event as infidels (Jews) turning a house of peace (place where Allah rules) into a house of war (where
people are not in submission to Allah)
10. Since that time, many Muslims believe that the only answer is to remove or destroy Israel
11. They have declared jihad on Israel AND the United States, since we are the main support superpower behind Israel
12. On February 22, 1998, bin Laden called on all Muslims to declare jihad on the U.S.
E. Understanding jihad
1. Jihad is an Arabic word that literally means “struggle” or “striving.”
4
Rev. 2010
2. Contrary to popular opinion, Jihad does not mean “holy war,” although in certain contexts in can essentially mean
“fighting for religious reasons.”
3. There are two main types of Jihada.
a. Greater (inner) jihad – This is the internal struggle a Muslim has trying to do what Allah wants him to do
b. Lesser (outer) jihad – This is an external struggle, a military or armed struggle against the enemies of Islam
4. Those Muslim organizations involved in suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism specifically refer to their activities as
acts of jihad
5. In fact, many of their organizations include the name, Jihad in the title. For example, the “World Islamic Front for Jihad
against Jews and Crusaders”
6. Disagreement over Jihad
a. Many Muslims believe that killing any “innocent” people (non-military personnel) in the name of jihad is wrong
b. Other Muslims believe that killing certain enemies of Islam in “self-defense” is allowed under jihad, but nothing more
c. Still other Muslims believe that killing of any one (directly or indirectly) who is against Islam and not in submission to
Allah is not only allowed under jihad, but is commanded by the Qur’an
7. Why the disagreement? – There are two reasons why Muslims disagree on the meaning and extent of jihad
a. First, the Qur’an contradicts itself in regard to how Muslims should treat and deal with “infidels” (non-Muslims) and
specifically Jews and Christiansb.
b. The earlier Surahs of the Qur’an teach more peaceful relations between Muslims and non-Muslims
c. But later Surahs advocate more militant activities, including specific and cruel instructions on how to kill “infidels”
who refuse to submit to Allah
d. Second, Muslims disagree on the interpretation of the Qur’an
e. Some Muslims, which we’ll call “fundamentalist Muslims,” take a literal interpretation to these texts
f. Others, whom we’ll call “liberal Muslims,” take a symbolic or allegorical interpretation of passages of the Qur’an that
command killing in the name of Allah
g. These “liberal Muslims” would also see later writings and the consensus of scholars (both of which downplay or redefine jihad) as more authoritative than a literal reading of the text
8. These two points: contradictions in the Qur’an itself and the disagreement on how to understand or interpret texts, lead to
the two very DIFFERENT opinions not only about jihad, but also regarding whether Islam is a “peaceful” religion or a
“militant” religion
9. The third Jihad
a. The US government recently discovered a secret document which calls on Muslims in America to engage in a “grand
jihad.”
b. “…their work in America is a kind of grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within
and “sabotaging” its miserable house by their hands and the hands of believers so that it is eliminated and God’s religion
is made victorious over all other religions.”
F. Fundamentalist Islam vs. Liberal Islam
1. While most Muslims would not classify the Islamic world under these headings, they are in fact indicative of the Muslim
world (and helpful in understanding Muslims)
2. Mainstream or “liberal” Muslims (who probably make up the majority) will refer to more radical Muslims as “militant,
fundamentalist, extremists,” etc.
3. Some would even say that these more radical Muslims are not Muslim at all, and that they give Islam a bad name4.
However, Fundamentalist Muslims see Liberal Muslims as worldly and disobedient to Allah
5. Conclusion: These two main “types” of Muslims explain so much of the disagreement today over what Muslims believe,
teach, and support – AND contribute to the overall disagreement on whether Islam is a tolerant, peaceful religion or a
militant, violent religion
6. Hence, after 9/11 we saw both images of Muslims dancing in the streets in triumph around the world, and images of
American Muslims denouncing the attacks and even helping with the clean-up in New York
7. BUT – Whoever is correct in terms of what “true” Islam is, the fact remains that a significant portion of Muslims hold to
the more militant, fundamentalist form Islam
8. AND – these Muslims continue to state that the motivation and reason for their jihad actions and acts of terrorism are
religious – In fact, they are religious duty.
9. HOWEVER – We must be careful not to assume that all Muslims believe or support the same things (in the same way that
we would disagree with much of what goes on in the name of “Christianity”)
10. Based upon the Qur’an and the Hadith alone, it appears that “original Islam” was more in line with the fundamentalist
view than with the liberal view
G. Fundamentalist Islam
1. Support of lesser jihad based upon the life of Muhammad
a. During the battle of Badr in 624, a prisoner was taken who formerly insulted Muhammad
5
Rev. 2010
b. “Muhammad ordered a follower to strike off Nadr’s head in his presence. Before killing Al Hadr Ibn al Harith cried,
‘O Prophet, who will look after my children if I should die?’ Mohammad spat out ‘Hellfire’ as the sword cut through his
neck.” (“Muhammad,” in Wikipedia, 2004)
c. While many Muslims claim that Muhammad’s military activates were acts of “self defense” because of persecution, it
is simply untrue that much of the killing and violence he performed or ordered to perform were not acts of self-defense
d. In addition, “self-defense” both then and today has been redefined to include: the creation of a Palestinian Muslim
state, the annihilation of Israel, kicking out all Americans and other westerners from Islamic countries, etc.
2. Jihad in Fundamentalist Islam
a. Several organizations exist today that promote jihad activates in the name of Islam
b. Hamas, al-Qaeda, the Chechnyan rebels, Islamic Jihad, Al-Aqsa Martyers Brigade, and many others
c. Fighting of this nature has gone on in Israel, Turkey, Jordan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Russia – and
now in the United States
3. Suicide bombers and holy martyrs
a. The most common jihad activity today is the suicide bomb
b. While the Qur’an appears to reject suicide as sin, it wholeheartedly encourages and supports being a martyr
c. There are thousands of followers of these terrorist groups, who participate in training camps around the world
d. Children are recruited as young as Kindergarten
e. The Children’s Club (the Palestinian version of Sesame Street) features the song, “When I wander into Jerusalem,
I will become a suicide bomber.”
f. In Hamas run Kindergarten classes, signs on the wall read “The children of the kindergarten are the shaheeds
(holy martyrs) of tomorrow.”
g. Dying in jihad is one of only two ways that a Muslim can be guaranteed of going to heaven
h. The family of one who has died in a suicide attack is typically compensated generously by Muslim “charity”
organizations
i. Plus, martyrs are told they will be met in heaven by 72 virgins will become their wives
4. The 72 Virgins
a. Based upon texts in the Qur’an and the Hadith, many Muslims believe the martyr is promised eternal sexual
relations with 72 virgins
b. The Qur’an allows a Muslim man to marry up to 4 wives (4:3)
c. Muhammad himself had between 10-13 wives – one of them, Aisha, was 6 years old when they betrothed, and 9
when they were marriedd.
d. While the Qur’an does not give the number (72), a chapter in the hadith does: “The Prophet Muhammad was
heard saying: ‘The smallest reward for the people of paradise is an abode where there are 80,000 servants and 72
wives…’” (Hadith 2687)
e. While many Muslim scholars downplay, deny, or re-explain these texts, the fact remains that the “virgins” are a
legitimate motivation to many single Muslim men who are recruited to be suicide bombers
X. A Biblical response to Islam & terrorism
A. Reaffirm our belief in the Sovereignty of God
1. He is sovereignly in control - For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate {it?} And as for His stretched-out
hand, who can turn it back? (Is. 14:27)
2. He is good - For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations. - (Ps. 100:5)
3. He is all-knowing - Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. - (Ps.147:5)
4. He is all-powerful - For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate {it?} And as for His stretched-out hand,
who can turn it back? - (Is. 14:27)
5. He works good in the midst of man’s wickedness and sin - And we know that God causes all things to work together for
good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose. - (Rom 8:28) - As for you, you meant evil
against me, {but} God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. - (Gen.
50:20
6. We are completely dependent upon Him for life & our security
B. Remind ourselves of the depravity of man
1. the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it? – (Jer. 17:9)
2. there is none righteous, no not one (Rom. 3:10)
3. The wicked are estranged from the womb; these who speak lies go astray from birth. - (Ps 58:3)
4. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. - (Matt 15:19)
5. in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the
gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. - (2 Cor 4:4)
C. Re-focus on the reality of spiritual battle
Satan is alive and well, introducing false ideas about God and Truth and working evil in the name of God - {We are}
destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and {we are} taking every thought
6
Rev. 2010
captive to the obedience of Christ, - (2 Cor 10:5) - For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give
thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. - (Rom. 1:21)
D. Re-establish a biblical understanding of government
1. Government is established by God –Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no
authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. - (Rom. 13:1)
2. Government exists to punish evildoers and restrain wickedness in the world –For rulers are not a cause of fear for good
behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for
it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is
a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. - (Rom. 13:3-4)
E. Recognize God’s special blessing upon Israel
1. The Jews are currently in a state of unbelief, having been veiled to the truth –For I do not want you, brethren, to be
uninformed of this mystery-- so that you will not be wise in your own estimation-- that a partial hardening has happened to
Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; - (Rom. 11:25)
2. However, there is no biblical reason to assume that the promise of the Abrahamic covenant in regard to the blessing and
cursing of Israel has been made void –And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in
you all the families of the earth will be blessed. - (Gen 12:3
F. Remember what Jesus said about following Him
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute
you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. - (John 15:20) - Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will
be persecuted. - (2 Tim. 3:12)
G. Reform our attitudes: to be gracious, wise, and careful in our interactions with Muslims
1. He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him. - (Prov. 18:13)
2. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such {a word} as is good for edification according to the
need {of the moment} so that it will give grace to those who hear. - (Eph. 4:29)
H. Resolve to take the Gospel to Muslims
1. Government is not the answer, the Gospel is
2. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ – the Truth - has the power to expose error, convert the heart, and save the sinner (Rom.
1:16, Heb. 4:12) – For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to
the Jew first and also to the Greek. - (Rom. 1:16) - For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged
sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and
intentions of the heart. - (Heb. 4:12)
3. AND – they will not hear the message unless we take it to them - How then will they call on Him in whom they have not
believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? - (Rom.
10:14) - Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf
of Christ, be reconciled to God. - (2 Cor. 5:20)
I. Reminders for taking the Gospel to Muslims (William Barrick, Understanding Muslisms)
1. Forgiveness – what they deeply desire
2. Assurance – what they lack completely
3. Compassion – what they need as evidence of Christian Faith
4. Time – it takes time to expose the errors of Islam and communicate the truth of the Gospel
5. Scripture – without the Bible, nothing will happen
7
Rev. 2010